This is a subject that is active on our campus lately.
Our campus does not have a working alone policy, however there are some departments that restrict it. In particular, the Dept of Chemistry and Biochemistry requires that students who have what they call "24/7 access" to laboratory areas (they are usually 2nd year research undergrads or grad students), are allowed to work from 7 am to 9 pm unrestricted. To work out side those times, you must have an exception form on file stating that you will have a buddy (see below for actual statement). This exception is due into the stockroom at least by the end of the day you are to be working and a PI signature is required before access is granted. This way their PI is aware that they will be working and what they are working on. Access is granted for one overnight or one weekend per form. Not that it is always adhered to, but there is a system in place that is utilized for the most part. PI's and other faculty are not restricted on campus.
Other departments are starting to ask about a campus policy, as some folks are uncomfortable with 24/7 access to their shops and labs and are worried about accounting for who is in a building should we have an emergency. I would be very interested to know what other campuses are doing. ________________________________________ Hi everyone, what policies do your institutions have regarding working alone and/or on nights and weekends? Is your policy the same for everyone, or does it treat professors, grad students, and undergrads differently? Thanks,
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‰??Vivian Longacre | Safety Training Specialist
Environmental Health & Safety | Cal Poly State University
San Luis Obispo, CA | 805.756.6628
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List
Sent: Thursday, October 8, 2015 12:24 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Working alone
Pete Stuurwold
Laboratory Supervisor
Department of Chemistry
Western Michigan University
1903 W Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5413
(269) 387-2914